A man who tattooed two girls, aged 15 and 16, at his home, was fined £100 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Thursday.
First offender Keith Blakely committed the offences at his home in Weensland Road on August 30.
Blakely, who had the consent of one girl's mother, said he didn't realise it was an offence to tattoo someone under the age of 18, with permission.
Procurator fiscal Viki Welton said Blakely was converting part of his home into a tattoo studio and the girls had been given his telephone number by a friend. "They called the number and arranged to go to his home at 7pm," explained Miss Welton, "where they were shown into a room and given a number of folders to look at different designs.
"At no time did he ask their age or for proof of their age," added the fiscal.
Miss Welton said the 16-year-old was tattooed first, just under her belly button, and paid £15. The 15-year-old girl had her initials tattooed on her hip, at a cost of £10. Miss Welton said the younger girl's father noticed the design and demanded to know where it had come from.
"The 16-year-old refused to give a statement but admitted she had got a tattoo at the same time as her friend," continued Miss Welton. "Her mother didn't appreciate the law and said she had given permission for her daughter to be tattooed."
Defence lawyer Colin McNab said his client believed someone had to be aged 18 to get a tattoo, but with consent it was 16.
"He was about to set up a studio on a commercial basis," added Mr McNab.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond said the maximum penalty available was a fine of £500.
